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How to Start a Booth in an Antique Mall

Antique malls are a viable option for beginning antique dealers to sell items, without having to bear the extra expense of running a store. Experienced antique dealers can benefit from having their own booth in an antique mall if they sell specialty items, or a distinct genre of antiques. People that have large collections of antiques can also open their own booth in an antique mall as well. It is better to sell quality antiques at a mall; not items that are considered commonplace.

Things You'll Need

Merchandise
Booth
Tape measure
Research materials
Internet access
Display shelves
Display cases with locks

Instructions

- 1
  Go to the front desk of an antique mall and inquire about opening up a booth. Find out if you need an antique license to operate a booth in the mall. Most times you do not, unless selling something that is considered a regulated item, such as food goods.
- 2
  Check out the space before making a commitment to rent. Take a tape measure with you and measure the area if you have large pieces of furniture or big items to diplay. Inquire about shelving space and ask if you can put shelves up to hold your items.
- 3
  Walk around and see what some of the other dealers are selling. Take notes. Ask the owner what dealers sell the most, to get an idea of the types of items that are moving quickly within the mall. The worst thing for an antique dealer -- beginner and experienced -- is to have items sit for months without being sold, uselessly taking up needed space.
- 4
  Ask if you can rent on a per month basis to see how your items sell. Give yourself time to turn a profit. It may take a few months before you make money at an antique mall, which would be anything over your expenses for rent and cost of items for resale.
- 5
  Go to garage sales and thrift stores to buy items to sell for resale, if you do not have a sufficiently sized inventory. These places are the best for finding antique and collectible goods. Always look for quality and never buy chipped or broken antiques for resale.
- 6
  Become an expert in the types of antiques and collectibles you wish to sell by doing research. Read up-to-date guide books and study antique mall websites that have the information you need about current market values for antiques.
- 7
  Price your items 20 percent or more over the original cost of the item. Expect customers to haggle with you on price. Items will be left in the mall and brought up to the counter without you having to be there to complete transaction. Let the owner or sales clerk at the counter know your terms with regard to discounts, and just how much less you are willing to go on your items, in case customers try to haggle on price.
- 8
  Decorate your spot to showcase each piece. Don't clutter your space. Bring in a new piece as each one sells. Having a cluttered area will only make people pass over your spot, for it is hard to see good items if there is too much in one place.

Antiques